Light Up the Church!
Rev. James Eaton, Pastor
There is a beautiful cathedral church in Granada, Spain, where the front worship area soars two stories high and is all gold. We visited on a cloudy day and it was dark inside, hard to see the art work. Then someone put a coin in a box I hadn’t noticed and suddenly spotlights came on and the church was brightly lit, the gold sparkled and it was as if life had been breathed into the whole space. Of course, I had to try; the coins were a few dollars each and we spent several “lighting” the space. 
 
This is how church life works. No matter how beautiful, no matter how historic a church, it’s the action of some particular person, some particular people, who light it up. It’s the shared gifts of people that make it shine.  
 
Everything we do is the flowering of a group. Think of worship. There’s a preacher, an organist, two or three greeters. There’s the choir—another half a dozen folks. There’s a reader, there’s Mike lighting candles and making sure the right decorations are out. Just that group is about as many as Jesus’ group of disciples. There’s all of us together, a congregation: your voice in song, your spirit in prayer. Church is something we do together. 
 
This month is full of special times. We are in the season of Easter—that’s right, Easter is a whole season, not just a day! Mothers’ Day is May 12, Memorial Day Sunday is May 26. 
 
But in between is the most special day of all for members and friends of a Congregational church: our Annual Meeting (May 19). The Annual Meeting is a sacred moment because in a Congregational Church, we believe God speaks through the expressed, shared opinions of all. 
 
So, if you want to help your church, if you want to move us forward, if you want to do your part, make sure you come to the Annual Meeting. There will be reports about the past to remind us where we’ve been—more importantly, a chance to say where you believe God is leading us.  
 
Lighting up the church isn’t something done just with coins. Come to the meeting! Share your prayer for the future. Light up the church! 
Annual Meeting
The 169th Annual Meeting of the First Congregational Church and Society of the City of Albany will be held on Sunday, May 19th 2019 
immediately following the worship service.

The meeting is for the purpose of electing officers for the year, receiving reports for all church organizations, and for considering any other business that may come before the meeting.
Dear Friends, 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus Christ has risen! 
 
I must have told the story 30 times as I and the volunteers handed out Easter goodies to the families in the South End. Coloring books, bubbles, gift bags, religious books, candy (I did put in tooth brushes), and crayons were accepted by all with much appreciation. One boy told me he had never had a box of unused crayons before. 
 
We never know who we will meet in a day, nor how our words actions will affect them. I believe your deeds and the volunteer’s message made a difference. Thank you. 

Sincerely,
Leslie Phelan, Director South End Community Outreach Center
Online giving is now available!
One of the biggest requests we've been receiving has been for the ability to donate online. This is especially important for our church friends and family who live out of the area or cannot join us on Sunday mornings. 
 
We've taken your advice and we're pleased to announce that you can now donate online through the secured portion of our website! Click here to learn more
Work Less and Enjoy More of Your Garden
Join NNORC and First Congregational for a gardening presentation that will include topics on the placement and size of gardens, health habits for gardening, gardening strategies to reduce the workload and plant selection. This workshop will be held Tuesday, May 28th at 1:30pm at First Congregational. Click here to learn more
May 5th : Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 9:1-20
Psalm 30
John 21: 1-19

Liturgist: John Dennehey
Ushers: Michael Sahagian & Michael Dennehey
Coffee Hosts: Joyce and Michael Sahagian

May 12: Fourth Sunday of Easter / Mother's Day 
Acts 9:26-43
Psalm 23
John 10: 22-30

Liturgist: John Dennehey
Ushers: Michael Sahagian & Michael Dennehey
Coffee Hosts: John Dennehey & May Horne

May 19th: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 11: 1-18
Psalm 148
John 13: 31-35

Liturgist: David Petty
Ushers: Michael Sahagian & Michael Dennehey

May 26th: Sixth Sunday of Easter / Memorial Sunday

Acts 16: 9-15
Psalm 67
John 14: 23-29 / John 5:1-9

Liturgist: David Petty
Ushers: Michael Sahagian & Michael Dennehey
Coffee Hour: Lars and Linda Allanson
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